The 10 most important Bulldogs: No. 5 Jeffery Simmons

The Bulldogs have a lot coming back this season on defense, and even more coming in. So who are the names to watch, and how is this defense going to play under new coordinator Todd Grantham? Beat writer Will Sammon and sports editor Hugh Kellenberger try to figure it out.
Wochit

Jeffery Simmons encouraging players from the sidelines during the Mississippi State vs Ole Miss NCAA football game on Novemeber 26, 2016.(Photo: JARED THOMAS / FOR THE CLARION-LEDGER)

Mississippi State is starting practice in late July, but there is still time between then and now with the completion of SEC Media Days only adding to the thirst and anticipation for this season.

Looking ahead to Mississippi State’s start of practice for this fall, The Clarion-Ledger counts down the 20 most important Bulldogs in 2016.

For the next 10 days, we count down the players who matter the most to the success of Mississippi State football in 2017. This is not a straight talent evaluation — each player's role matters.

No. 5 Jeffery Simmons

Position: Defensive lineman

Year: Sophomore

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 307 pounds

In 2016: Simmons and Mississippi State were under scrutiny before the season started after a video surfaced that showed Simmons striking a woman. After serving a one-game suspension in the season opener for the incident, Simmons appeared in Mississippi State’s final 12 games, asserting himself as a valuable member of the defensive line rotation and making three starts.

As a true freshman, Simmons, a former five-star prospect, had 40 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, and four quarterback hurries. Simmons earned Freshman All-SEC honors.

On the football field, he weighed in at more than 300 pounds in the spring. Simmons described 2016 as up and down for him and he spent a good portion of the spring working on his technique. Simmons was explosive in his first year and was able to utilize his strength, so he said he tried to build off of that.

In 2017: Defensive line coach Brian Baker stressed during the spring how much he needed Simmons to step up and have a bigger season after a solid freshman year. Simmons was a defensive end in high school, so he is still adjusting to life as a nose tackle. But despite Simmons being young, he will be counted on as the best player on the defensive line.

Simmons forced two fumbles last year, and that number is expected to rise along with his other statistics in Todd Grantham’s base 3-4 defense.